Lezende man (het Gezicht) 1670 - 1713

Editor: Here we have "Lezende man (het Gezicht)"—or "Reading Man (the Face)"—an engraving dating from around 1670-1713 by Pieter Schenk, held here at the Rijksmuseum. There's such a…grotesque quality to it, almost cartoonish. The figure is so intensely focused. What's your take on this piece? Curator: Grotesque is a great word for it, and something the Dutch Golden Age was remarkably comfortable with. It's almost a caricature, isn't it? Look at how the lines exaggerate the bridge of his nose where those spectacles perch. He reminds me of a character ripped from a comedic play. I imagine him sputtering indignantly at whatever is on that page he is reading. Does that intense focus remind you of anything? Editor: I hadn't thought of theatre! Maybe. It feels so private, though, not performative. More like a nosy neighbor peeking into your diary. Curator: Ah, there's a thought. Maybe he *is* that nosy neighbor! What a perfect commentary, subtly poking fun at the very act of reading, of seeking knowledge. Does that shift your reading – pun intended – of the work at all? Editor: Definitely. The almost judgmental way he’s scrutinizing the text makes it more intriguing. And those glasses precariously perched on his nose add a level of humor to it all. Curator: Exactly. They almost feel like they're about to tumble off, highlighting the precarious nature of our own perceptions. The details force us to ask questions: What’s he reading? Why does it seem so important – or perhaps, unimportant? What is it about *this* face the artist wanted us to confront? What story did Schenk want to provoke from the viewers of his print? It's endlessly suggestive, isn’t it? Editor: I can see that! Thanks for shedding a new, really thought-provoking light on it. I need to ruminate about this some more now. Curator: It has given me a good deal to ponder too! Perhaps the greatest art speaks back.